Understanding ADAC in Atlanta, GA: What It Means and Where to Go
If you searched for “ADAC Atlanta GA,” you’re almost certainly looking for the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, one of the Southeast’s major design destinations. Located in the Buckhead area, ADAC is a large, professional design center focused on high-end residential and commercial interiors.
This guide explains what ADAC is, how it works, and what someone in Atlanta, Georgia should know before visiting or using its resources.
What Is ADAC in Atlanta?
ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center) is a design center that brings together showrooms for:
- Furniture
- Fabrics and textiles
- Lighting
- Flooring and rugs
- Wallcoverings
- Art and accessories
- Kitchen, bath, and architectural products
It primarily serves interior designers, architects, and design professionals, but there are ways for Atlanta homeowners and consumers to benefit from it too—especially if you’re planning a renovation, new build, or major decorating project.
Basic info for ADAC Atlanta:
- Name: Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC)
- Address: 351 Peachtree Hills Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
- Area: Buckhead / Peachtree Hills neighborhood
Where Is ADAC Located in Atlanta?
ADAC is in the Peachtree Hills area of Buckhead, not far from Peachtree Road and Lindbergh.
Nearby landmarks and areas include:
- Peachtree Hills Park
- Lindbergh Center area
- Peachtree Road NE corridor
- Close driving distance from Midtown and central Buckhead
For most Atlanta residents and visitors, ADAC is easiest to reach by car or rideshare. Parking options are typically available onsite or nearby, but it’s wise to allow extra time if you’re visiting during a weekday business day.
Who Is ADAC For?
ADAC Atlanta is designed first and foremost for the trade, meaning professionals in the design and building fields. However, Atlanta-area consumers can still engage in a few key ways.
Primary users
- Interior designers and decorators
- Architects and residential designers
- Builders and contractors
- Design students and educators
- Hospitality and commercial design professionals
How Atlanta homeowners and renters fit in
If you’re a consumer in Atlanta, ADAC can be relevant if:
- You’re working with a professional interior designer who shops there.
- You want to explore high-end design options and understand what’s available.
- You’re considering custom furnishings, fabrics, or finishes that aren’t available in typical retail stores.
- You’re curious about design trends and professional-level materials.
Some showrooms may allow public browsing, but many operate on a “to the trade” basis, meaning they primarily sell through design professionals. Policies can vary by showroom, so it’s important to check ahead or ask at the ADAC reception when you arrive.
What You’ll Find Inside ADAC
ADAC is a multi-level center with numerous showrooms. While the exact list can change, you can generally expect:
Types of showrooms
- Furniture: Sofas, chairs, tables, casegoods, custom pieces
- Fabric & textiles: Upholstery, drapery, performance fabrics, trims
- Wallcoverings: Wallpaper, grasscloth, specialty finishes
- Flooring & rugs: Area rugs, broadloom carpet, runners, specialty flooring
- Lighting: Fixtures, lamps, chandeliers, sconces
- Art & accessories: Framed art, sculpture, decorative objects
- Outdoor & performance: Outdoor furniture and textiles
- Kitchen & bath: Cabinetry, surfaces, hardware (in certain showrooms)
Why ADAC matters in the Atlanta design world
For Atlanta’s design community, ADAC functions as:
- A central sourcing hub for finishes, furnishings, and materials
- A venue for design events, panels, and educational sessions
- A way to access regional and national brands without leaving the city
Even if you’re not in the design trade, understanding ADAC can help you communicate more clearly with your designer or contractor and set expectations about quality, timelines, and pricing levels for high-end projects in Atlanta.
Visiting ADAC as a Consumer in Atlanta
If you’re local or visiting Atlanta and want to see ADAC, a bit of planning helps.
1. Check hours and access
Because hours can change, it’s best to:
- Verify current building hours before you go.
- Understand that individual showrooms may keep slightly different schedules.
ADAC generally operates on standard weekday business hours; weekend access is more limited and may not be available for all spaces.
2. Know the “to the trade” concept
Many ADAC showrooms are “to the trade only.” That often means:
- They sell only through licensed or registered design professionals.
- Pricing, ordering, and samples may be available only via a designer or architect.
- You may still be able to walk through and look, but purchases and quotes may require a professional.
If you’re an Atlanta homeowner without a designer:
- You can use a visit to get ideas, see materials in person, and refine your taste.
- If you find products you like, you can later work with a local designer or design-focused retailer to source similar or related items.
3. Plan your visit strategically
To make the most of a trip to ADAC:
- Bring photos or floor plans of your space if you’re exploring for a project.
- Have measurements and a general budget range in mind.
- Wear comfortable shoes; the center has multiple showrooms spread across different levels.
- Allow time for parking, check-in (if required), and walking between spaces.
How ADAC Fits Into an Atlanta Design Project
If you’re planning a significant remodel, new home, or upscale decorating project in Atlanta, ADAC can play a role—usually through your design professional.
Typical Atlanta project flow involving ADAC
- You hire an interior designer or architect based in metro Atlanta.
- You discuss your style, budget, and timeline.
- Your designer visits ADAC showrooms (often multiple times) to source:
- Fabrics, finishes, and furnishings
- Lighting and casegoods
- Custom or trade-only pieces
- The designer presents curated options to you, often using photos, samples, or mood boards.
- Once you approve, the designer orders through ADAC showrooms, coordinates delivery, and manages installation.
From the client side, you may or may not visit ADAC at all—some Atlanta homeowners choose to go with their designer, others are comfortable reviewing options in the designer’s studio or at home.
Pros and Cons of Using ADAC-Source Products in Atlanta
If your designer is sourcing from ADAC, here’s what Atlanta clients commonly weigh:
Potential advantages
- Broader selection: Access to lines not carried in regular retail stores.
- Customization: Many ADAC-showroom products are made-to-order, with custom fabrics, finishes, or sizes.
- Quality level: Products often target mid- to high-end residential and commercial projects.
- Professional guidance: Designers familiar with ADAC can narrow options to suit your space and climate in Atlanta (heat, humidity, sun exposure, etc.).
Potential tradeoffs
- Lead times: Custom and trade-only products can have longer delivery times, especially around holidays or busy seasons.
- Pricing: These goods can be more expensive than mass-market retail; your designer can explain how pricing and markups work.
- Return policies: Custom items are often non-returnable, so you’ll want to be confident in your selections.
For Atlanta homeowners, it’s reasonable to ask your designer:
- Which of my items are being sourced from ADAC showrooms?
- What are the estimated lead times?
- How do warranties, service, and repairs work if something arrives damaged?
If You’re a Design Professional Moving to or Visiting Atlanta
If you’re a designer, architect, or trade professional relocating to or working in Atlanta, ADAC can act as a central resource hub.
Common steps professionals take:
- Register as a trade professional if ADAC or individual showrooms require documentation.
- Build relationships with key showrooms that match your typical project level (residential, hospitality, commercial, etc.).
- Attend design talks, CEU events, or product launches hosted at ADAC when available.
This can help you quickly plug into Atlanta’s design community, especially if you’re transitioning from another design market.
Quick Reference: ADAC Atlanta at a Glance
| Topic | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) |
| Common Search Term | “ADAC Atlanta GA” |
| Location | 351 Peachtree Hills Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 |
| Area | Buckhead / Peachtree Hills, convenient to Midtown and central Buckhead |
| Primary Purpose | Professional design center for trade showrooms and resources |
| Main Users | Interior designers, architects, builders, design professionals |
| Consumer Access | Varies by showroom; many are to the trade, some allow public browsing |
| What You’ll Find | Furniture, fabrics, lighting, rugs, wallcoverings, art, décor, K&B products |
| When to Go | Typically weekday business hours; verify times before visiting |
| Best Use for Residents | Explore design options; work with a local designer who sources from ADAC |
Practical Tips for Atlantans Considering ADAC
Local homeowners:
- If you’re planning a significant project, consider interviewing a few Atlanta designers who regularly use ADAC; they can explain how it fits your budget and goals.
- Use ADAC as inspiration, then clarify with your designer which looks are realistic for your price range.
Renters and smaller projects:
- ADAC may still be worth a one-time visit for ideas, but many trade-only products may not be necessary for shorter-term or small-scale projects.
- You can translate design ideas into more accessible options at local Atlanta retail stores or online.
Visitors to Atlanta interested in design:
- If your schedule allows and you enjoy interiors, a walk through ADAC can be an interesting way to see how design professionals work in the city.
- Be prepared for a more professional, less “retail” environment than a typical shopping mall.
By understanding what ADAC Atlanta GA refers to and how the center operates, you can decide whether visiting, collaborating with a designer who uses it, or simply knowing it exists is the right move for your project or curiosity in Atlanta, Georgia.
